Power file counter construction



Dec. 21, 1965 c. P. STURGIS ETAL 3,224,825

POWER FILE COUNTER CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 28, 1963 WKwnyv Jm yard I Maddern/ l WENTORS. Charla P Stu/I Manly Ed WW, Wk W UBUUGUUG UUAEUDDUQ ATTORNEYS 1965 c. P. STURGIS ETAL 3,224,825

POWER FILE COUNTER CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 28. 1963 JNVENTORS'.

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Dec. 21, 1965 Filed Oct. 28, 1963 C. P. STURGIS ETAL POWER FILE COUNTER CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig .9

INVENTORS. Charla: P. 817w 19, Henry WKwmpfi 1". a

'Eolgwrd I Maddern/ d ATTORNEYS United States Patent Q 3,224,825 PGWER FILE C(IUNTER CONSTRUCTION Charles P. Sturgis, Canton, Henry W. Kumpf, Jr., Hartville, and Edward I. Maddern, Qanton, Ohio, assignors to Diebold, Incorporated, Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ghio Filed (Pet. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 319,478 6 Claims. (Cl. 312223) This invention relates to a power file having a plurality of record-card-carrying pans which are mounted for movement in an orbit of travel within the housing of the file and which are presentable by preselection at an access opening in the housing. More particularly the invention relates to a vertically movable work counter at the lower end of the access opening and to an electric circuit for moving a preselected record-card-carrying pan to an elevation aligned with the top surface of the work counter.

Power files or filing appliances have developed from relatively small record storage units to relatively large units that may extend from the floor to the ceiling of a room. The size of the files has increased because the unit-cost of floor area for storing records decreases as the size of the unit increases vertically.

Associated with the foregoing has been the development of a work counter which is vertically adjustable to a height which is convenient for any person using the file. The work counter extends across the lower side of the access opening and may be raised automatically by any person using the file. Prior constructions of the power file have involved the delivery of a selected card-carrying pan at a preferred level of the work counter. Subsequent raising of the counter prevents access to the same pan. The acceptance and use of vertically movable work counters ha created a problem in the proper alignment between the record pan and the work counter.

It has been found that the record-carrying-pan may be brought to vertical alignment with the work counter at a separate level by the provision of a circuit for changing the position to which the selected pan stops. Briefly, a relay with control switches is added to the circuits to bring the desired pan to the changed position of the work counter.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a power file counter construction in which a work counter is adjustable to different positions for the convenience of the operator, and in which an electric circuit means is added to bring a preselected pan to the level of the work counter.

It is another object of this invention to provide a power file counter construction having electric relay means for changing the position of the stop position of a preselected pan in response to the change in level of a vertically mov- I able access counter.

It is a general object of the present invention to pro vide a power file counter construction which avoids the difficulties, disadvantages, and limitations of prior power file constructions.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved power file counter construction which accomplishes the foregoing desiderata in an inexpensive manner and with simplified design adjustment, maintenance, and operation.

These and other objects and advantages apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and claims may be obtained, the stated results achieved, and the described difiiculties and problems overcome and solved by the parts, elements, constructions, mechanisms, combinations, subcombinations, and arrangements, which comprise the present invention, the nature of which is 3,224,825 Patented Dec. 21, 1965 set forth in the following general statement, preferred embodiments of which-illustrative of the best mode in which applicants have contemplated applying the principles-are set forth in the following description and shown in the drawings, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improved apparatus of the present invention may be stated in general terms as including a power file counter construction having a housing with an access opening therein, a plurality of record-carryingpans mounted within the housing for movement through an orbit of travel adjacent the access opening, reversible motor means for moving the pans through the orbit, a work counter mounted on the housing and disposed across the lower edge of the access opening and being vertically adjustable between upper and lower positions, an electric circuit connected to the motor and including pan selector switch for each pan for closing the circuit through the motor, directional switch means for turning the motor in the direction corresponding to the shorter path of travel between the access counter and the position of the selected pan and for opening the circuit through the motor upon arrival of the selected pan at the access counter, counter switch means raising and lowering the counter between said positions, the upper and lower positions of the counter corresponding to the positions of two adjacent pans at the access opening, counter position switch means at the upper position for opening the circuit between the pan selector switch means and the corresponding directional switch means and for closing the circuit between said pan selector switch means and the directional switch means for the next lower pan.

In the attached drawings which are illustrative of the embodiments of the invention:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a power file having a vertically adjustable counter mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical sectional view showing the positions of the card-carrying pans and the upper and lower positions of the work counter,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial elevational view, partly in section, showing upper and lower positions of the work counter on the front of the file;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and showing in addition a control lamp at the upper end of the access opening;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram; gIG. 8 is a wiring diagram of another embodiment; an

FIG. 9 is a wiring diagram of another embodiment.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In FIG. 1 a power file is generally indicated at 1. It includes a housing 2 with a front wall 3 in which an access opening 4 is provided with a work counter 5 mounted for vertical adjustment between upper and lower positions across the bottom edge of the opening.

Within the file a plurality of record-carrying pans 6 are mounted on suitable support means such as shown in Graber Pat. No. 2,940,810. The pans 6 are adapted for movement through a continuous orbit of travel. Each pan 6 may be brought to the access opening 4 at a level with the upper and lower position of the work counter 5.

For convenience of the operator the counter 5 is vertically adjustable between upper and lower limits which are spaced preferably from each other by a distance substantially equal to the height of one pan or a multiple thereof. The lower level of the counter 5 is convenient for the operator when seated. The upper level of the counter is convenient when the operator is standing. In either position, the operator may select the desired. record-carrying pan 6 by actuation of a corresponding pan selector switch 8 for bringing the desired pan to either position of the counter 5. In FIG. 1 records 9 are shown on the various spaced pans 6.

The counter 5 is provided with means generally located. at 10 for raising and lowering the counter between its. limits. The counter 5 is an outwardly extending horizon-- tal shelf at the upper end of a movable panel 11 which covers the lower portion of the access opening 4 when the counter is disposed at its upper position. The panel 11 is reinforced by frame members including a lower member 12 and horizonally spaced frame members 13 and 14. The members 1214 are preferably channel members.

As shown in FIG. 5 the panel 11 has opposite ends disposed in oppositely facing portions 15 and 16, respectively, of two similar S-shaped frame members. The ends of the panel 11 are provided with similar glide members 17 preferably composed with low friction material such as Teflon.

The means 10 for raising the counter include a pantograph consisting of two cross members 18 and 1% pivotally secured at 211 (FIG. 3). The left ends of the cross members 18 and 19 are pivoted at 21 and 22, respectively, to brackets 23 and 24. The bracket 23 is secured to the undersurface of the panel 11 and the bracket 24 is secured to the surface of a horizontal frame member 25. The other ends of the cross members 18 and 19 are provided with rollers 26 and 27 which are movably mounted in horizontal channel sections 28 and 29. The lower channel section 28 is secured to the frame member and the upper channel section 29 is secured to the undersurface of the panel 11.

T he means 10 for raising and lowering the counter also includes an elevator generally indicated at 30 having a reversible motor 31, a screw 32, and a nut 33. The motor 31 is secured to the frame member 25 by bolts 34 and the screw 32 extends upright from the motor with the lower end suitably attached by gear means in a conventional manner. The nut 33 is contained within a housing 35 having an undercover 36 which housing is attached such as by welding (not shown) to the undersurface of the panel 11. The housing 35 and cover 36 contain the nut 33 and prevent its rotation. Accordingly, rotation of the screw 32 by the motor 31 raises or lowers the counter 5 with the pantograph members 18 and 19 supporting and holding the counter level.

Upper and lower limits of travel for the counter are controlled by counter position switch means including a lower limit switch 37 and an upper limit switch 38. The lower switch 37 is mounted on the frame 25 and is actuated by a flange bracket 39. The upper switch 38 is mounted on a horizontal frame member 411 and is actuated by a flanged bracket 41 at the lower edge of the panel 11.

The file is provided with safety devices which include three vertically spaced photocell units including lamps 42, 43, and 44 (FIG. 4) and three corresponding photocells 45, 46, and 47 (FIG. 7), two of which photocells 45 and 46 are shown in FIG. 3, which correspond to the lamps 42 and 43. The corresponding photocell for lamp 44 is not shown in the drawing but is mounted horizontally opposite the lamp 44 at the upper end of the access opening 4 on a bracket 4711 similar to that shown for photocells 45 and 46. The brackets are attached to a vertical frame member 48. Each lamp is provided with a light director cylinder 49 at the opposite end of which is provided a lens 50 for focusing the light on the corresponding photocells. The assembly of the lamp and light is mounted on a mounting plate 51 which extends outwardly from a vertical frame member 52.

The lower level of the lamp 42 and photocell 45 is disposed at the lower limit of the counter 5 where a light beam is directed across the surface of the counter and prevents operation of movement of the file pans 6 when an object blocks the path of light, such as the operators hand or arm. Likewise, the lamp 43 and photocell 46 are disposed at the upper position of the counter 5 for the same purpose.

The lamp 44 and the photocell are disposed at the upper end of the access opening 4 for the purpose of preventing movement of the pans 6 when anything interferes with the path of light. Accordingly, the file 1 is provided with photoelectric cell units for safer operation of the tile. Wiring of the units is shown more particularly in FIG. 7.

Lamps 42 and 43 are controlled by a switch 53 so that the lamp 43 is on when the counter is in the up position. Conversely, the lamp 42 is on when the counter is in the down position.

As shown in FIG. 7, a stop and reset switch 54 is actuated to close the circuit through a safety relay 55 which in turn closes the circuits through a pair of normally open contacts 56 and 57. By closing the contact 56 a circuit is self-maintained through the relay which holds the contact 57 closed, and the reset switch 54 may be released to return to the normal position shown in the drawing. Thereafter, any desired card-carrying pan 6 may be brought to the access opening 4 by pressing a panselector switch 58, of which only four are shown for illustrative purposes.

When the work counter 5 is in the lowermost position the counter position switch 37 is actuated. It is a three-circuit switch including normally open contacts 37a, normally closed contacts 37!), and normally closed contacts 370. With the counter down the contacts 370 are closed to establish a circuit through the pan selector switch 8. Contacts 37!) are opened to remove the shunt across the lower photocell 45. Contacts 370 are opened to deenergize the down connection of the manual counter switch 59 to the motor 31.

With the counter down actuation of one of the pans selector switches, such as 580, closes the circuit through a normally closed contact 61 and through a rotary switch 62 which controls the shorter path of travel (clockwise or counterclockwise) in which the selected pan 6 will move through its orbit of travel to the access opening 4. Assuming the shorter path for the pan is in the counterclockwise or up direction, the up relay 69 is energized, opening the contact 63 to the down relay coil 64, opening safety circuit contact 70, and closing contact '71 in the motor circuit. The rotary switch 62 is of conventional construction such as described in Handel Pat. No. 2,985,- 726.

The relay 64 also closes a contact 67 in the circuit through a reversible motor 68 for moving the pan in clockwise or counterclockwise direction. If the rotary switch 62 indicates the shorter path of travel or selected pan 6 is in the clockwise or down direction, a relay 64 opens a circuit through the contact 65, opens a circuit through a contact 66, and closes a circuit through a normally open contact 71 which operates the motor 68 in the direction for delivering the selected pan 6 downwardly in the orbit of travel toward the position of counter 5.

When the counter is in the uppermost position it actuates an upper limit switch 38 which is a four-circuit switch including normally open contacts 38a and normally closed contacts 38b, 38c, and 38d. Contacts 38a are closed to establish a circuit through the pan selector switch 8. Contacts 3812 are opened to remove the shunt across the upper photocell 46. Contacts 380 are opened to deenergize the up connection of the manual counter switch 59 to the motor 31. Contacts 38d are closed to operate the relay 611.

With the file in the uppermost position the normally closed contacts 37d close the circuit through the relay 60.

When the counter is in the uppermost position, the circuit through the contacts 38d is closed.

With the circuit closed through the relay 60 the circuit between the pan selector switch 58a and the rotary switch 62 changes so that the normally closed contact 61 is open and normally open contact 73 is closed by the relay 60. Upon closing of the circuit through the selector switch 58a the circuit is closed through the switch 73 and through the rotary switch 62 at a position corresponding to another pan, it being understood that the distance of travel between the upper and lower positions of the counter is equal to the height of one pan or a multiple thereof. Operation of the file continues through the switch as set forth above.

In order to avoid excessive use of the reset switch 54 the circuit is provided with additional contacts. The safety features are held inoperative except when the file is operating, If the operators hand interrupts the light beam to the cell, a normally closed contact 74 is opened in the circuit of the safety relay 55. An attempt to simultaneously operate the file through one of the pan selector switches 58 causes one of the relays 64 or 69 to open one of the contacts 66 or 76, respectively, thereby opening the circuit through the relay 55 which in turn opens the circuit through the contact 57. However, an attempt to lower or raise the counter 5 does not interrupt the circuit through the safety relay 55 unless one of the contacts 66 or 70 is opened. The circuit also prevents operation of the file when the counter 5 is located intermediate the upper and lower limits.

The foregoing operations occur automatically with a switch 83 in the automatic position for operation of the pan selector switches 58. The file also may be operated manually with the switch 83 in the manual position thereby circumventing switches 58 and 62. In the manual position the operator may move the pans either clockwise or counterclockwise by an up-do-wn switch 84. With such switch the operator may stop a file in the desired position simply by releasing the switch to a neutral position. As an option, the circuit may be provided with a leveler con tact 85 which is normally closed and which operates in conjunction with an up contact 86 and a down contact 87. The contact 86 is closed by the up relay 69 when the switch 84 is moved to the up position. Likewise, the down contact 87 is closed by the relay 64- when the switch 84 is moved to the down position. The contact 85 permits the operator to release the switch 84 as the selected pan approaches the stop position. As soon as the pan reaches said position, the contact 84 is opened and breaks the circuit through the motor 68.

In FIG. 8 another embodiment of the circuit is shown which for brevity excludes the photoelectric safety cells. All other elements are the same as shown in FIG. 7 except as explained below. The pan selector switches 58 differ in that they are double contact switches in which one set of contacts is connected in series with a normally open switch 75 and another set of contacts is connected in series with a normally open switch 76. The switch 75 is closed only when the counter 5 is in the uppermost position and the switch 76 is closed only when the counter is in the lowermost position. In other words, the switch 75 may be an element of the upper limit switch 38 and the switch 76 may be an element of the lower limit switch 37. With that change the several contacts 61 and 73 (FIG. 7) may be eliminated.

Accordingly, when the counter 5 is in the lowermost position the circuit is closed through the switch 76 so that actuation of one of the selector switches, say switch 58a, closes the circuit through the contact 77 and thence through the next adjacent position 3 in the rotary switch 62. On the other hand, when the counter is in the uppermost position the circuit is closed through the switch 75 so that actuation of the selector switch 58a closes the circuit through the switch contacts 78 and through the pan position 2 in the rotary switch which automatically brings the selected pan 6 to the upper level of the work counter 5.

In FIG. 9 another embodiment of the circuit is shown to show that a file may be operated without a rotary switch 62. For purposes of simplicity the circuit in FIG. 8 like the circuit in FIG. 9 is devoid of the photoelectric safety cells. The switch 58 and contacts 61 and 73 are similar to those in FIG. 7. However, the circuit in FIG. 9 is provided with a relay 79 and with a normally closed switch 80 for each pan when it arrives at the stop position in the access window. A file operated by the circuit includes a motor 81 which turns the pans 6 only through one direction instead of through either direction depending upon the shorter path of travel to the access window. Accordingly, a position limit switch 80 must be provided for each pan each of which switches is actuated only by the selected pan.

When a selected pan switch 58a is actuated the circuit is closed through the normally closed contact 61 as well as the specific pan position switch 80:: and the relay 79 which closes the circuit through a contact 82 of the motor 81. As soon as the selected pan reaches the level of the counter 5, the circuit is opened when the pan operates the corresponding switch 80a. When the counter is in the uppermost position the contact 61 is open and the contact 72 is closed so that actuation of the pan selector switch 58a closes the circuit through the contact 72 and the switch 80b and thence through relay 79. When the pan reaches the position of the limit switch 801) the circuit is opened through the relay as well as the contact 82 thereby stopping the pan at the uppermost position of the counter 5.

The device of the present invention provide means for delivering a card-carrying pan in a power file to alternate positions of a work counter on the file. The device provides means for performing the operation automatically without necessity of the operator considering position of the counter before selecting the desired pan. If the counter is in the lowermost position the pan is delivered at that position. If the counter is in the uppermost position the pan is delivered there automatically by the file. Moreover, the circuit for bringing the selected pans to the counter level will function for an automatic or manually operated counter.

In addition the means operates whether the file includes the conventional rotary switch for operating through the shortest path of travel of the selected pan to the work counter. Where a rotary switch is not used, the file rotates the pans in one direction only by using limit switches for each pan to stop a selected pan at the counter position. In the alternative, the file will operate to bring a selected pan to the counter where a simple up-down button is used instead of a rotary switch or separate limit switches. In addition to the up-down switch a leveling contact may be provided to permit release of the switch before the selected pan reaches the stop position and as it approaches said position.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 1, the pans 6 have a vertical dimension which permits only two or three pans to be presented at the access opening 4 at any one time. Where pans having smaller vertical dimensions than said pans 6 are provided, more than two or three pans may be presented at the access opening at a given time. For that reason, additional circuits may be provided for stopping the counter at positions coinciding with the additional pans. The counter positions are separated from each other by distances equal to the pan spacings or multiples thereof.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations have been implied therefrom as such words are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated and described herein are by way of example and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact construction shown.

Having now described the invention, construction, operation and use of preferred embodiments thereof and the advantageous, new, and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful power file counter construction and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Power file construction of the type in which a plurality of pans are supported movable by operably connected electric pan drive motor means in a continuous orbit of travel including upper and lower turning portions and intermediate forward and rearward generally vertical portions, in which the pans are exposed at least at an access opening in a cabinet wall adjacent the intermediate forward generally vertical portion of the orbit of travel, in which a work counter is mounted at the access opening selectively vertically movable between at least an upper and a lower position, in which the access opening is formed such that a pan is exposed directly at and over the work counter and through the access opening when the work counter is at either of the upper and lower positions, and in which a selector switch corresponding to each pan is provided electrically connected to the pan drive motor means selectively operable for actuating the pan drive motor means to move the corresponding pan to the access opening; the improvements comprising, an upper position limit switch and a lower position limit switch, means operably connected to the counter for engaging the upper position limit switch when the counter is moved to the upper position for engaging the lower position limit switch when the counter is moved to the lower position, first electric circuit means including the upper position limit switch and selector switches and pan drive motor means set up and operable when the upper position limit switch is engaged as a consequence of the counter being moved to the upper position for actuating the pan drive motor means when any one of the selector switches is operated to move the pan corresponding to said one selector switch to the access opening and for stopping the pan drive motor means to position said corresponding pan exposed directly at and Over the counter at said counter upper position, and second electric circuit means including the lower position limit switch and selector switches and pan drive motor means set up and operable when the lower position limit switch is engaged as a consequence of the counter being moved to the lower position for actuating the pan drive motor means when the same any one of the selector switches is operated to move the same pan corresponding to said same one selector switch to the access opening and for stopping the pan drive motor means to position said same corresponding pan at a lower location exposed directly at and over the counter at said counter lower position; whereby, movement of the work counter to the upper position and operation of any given selector switch will position the corresponding pan exposed directly at and over the work counter at said upper position, and movement of the work counter to the lower position and actuation of the same given selector switch will position the same pan at a lower location exposed directly at and over the work counter at said lower position.

2. Power file construction as defined in claim 1 in which a rotary switch is operably connected to the pan drive motor means for actuating the pan drive motor means when any one of the selector switches is operated to move the pan corresponding to said one selector switch to the access opening through the shortest direction of travel in the pan continuous orbit of travel; in which the first electric circuit means also includes the rotary switch when the upper position limit switch is engaged as a consequence of the counter being moved to the upper position; and in which the second electric circuit means also includes the rotary switch when the lower position limit switch is engaged as a consequence of the counter being moved to the lower position.

3. Power file construction as defined in claim 1 in which first safety stop means is mounted at the counter upper position for stopping the pan drive motor means and movement of the pans when the counter is in the upper position and an obstruction extends over the counter and through the access opening; in which second safety stop means is mounted at the counter lower position for stopping the pan drive motor means and movement of the pans when the counter is in the lower posi tion and an obstruction extends over the counter and through the access opening; in which the first electric circuit means also includes the first safety stop means when the counter is moved to the upper position and the upper position limit switch is engaged; and in which the second electric circuit means also includes the second safety stop means when the counter is moved to the lower position and the lower position limit switch is engaged.

4. Power file construction as defined in claim 1 in which first safety stop means is mounted at the counter upper position for stopping the pan drive motor means and movement of the pans when the counter is in the upper position and an obstruction extends over the counter and through the access opening; in which second safety stop means is mounted at the counter lower position for stopping the pan drive motor means and movement of the pans when the counter is in the lower position and an obstruction extends over the counter and through the access opening; in which the first electric circuit means also includes the first safety stop means when the counter is moved to the upper position and the upper position limit switch is engaged; in which the second electric circuit means also includes the second safety stop means when the counter is moved to the lower position and the lower position switch is engaged; and in which the first and second safety stop means each include photocell means positioned effective across the access opening at the counter upper and lower positions.

5. Power file construction as defined in claim 1 in which a rotary switch is operably connected to the pan drive motor means for actuating the pan drive motor means when any one of the selector switches is operated to move the pan corresponding to said one selector switch to the access opening through the shortest direction of travel in the pan continuous orbit of travel; in which the first electric circuit means also includes the rotary switch when the upper position limit switch is engaged as a consequence of the counter being moved to the upper position; in which the second electric circuit means also includes the rotary switch when the lower position limit switch is engaged as a consequence of the counter being moved to the lower position; in which first safety stop means in mounted at the counter upper position for stopping the pan drive motor means and movement of the pans when the counter is in the upper position and an obstruction extends over the counter and through the access opening; in which second safety stop means is mounted at the counter lower position for stopping the pan drive motor means and movement of the pans when the counter is in the lower position and an obstruction extends over the counter and through the access opening; in which the first electric circuit means also includes the first safety stop means when the counter is moved to the upper position and the upper position limit switch is engaged; in which the second electric circuit means also includes the second safety stop means When the counter is moved to the lower position and the lower position limit switch is engaged; and in which the first and second safety stop means each include photocell means positioned effective across the access opening at the counter upper and lower positions.

6. Power file construction of the type in which a plurality of spaced pans are supported movable by operably connected electric pan drive motor means in a continuous orbit of travel including upper and lower turning portions and intermediate forward and rearward generally vertical portions, in which the pans are exposed at least at an access opening in a cabinet wall adjacent the intermediate forward generally vertical portion of the orbit of travel, in which a work counter is mounted at the access opening selectively vertically movable between at least an upper and a lower position, in which the counter upper and lower positions are spaced apart a multiple of the pan spacings, in which the access opening is formed such that a pan is exposed directly at and over the work counter and through the access opening when the work counter is at either of the upper and lower positions, and in which a selector switch corresponding to each pan is provided electrically connected to the pan drive motor means selectively operable for actuating the pan drive motor means to move the corresponding pan to the access opening; the improvements comprising, electric counter drive motor means operably connected to the counter and selectively operable for moving the counter between the upper and lower counter positions, an upper position limit switch and a lower position limit switch, means operably connected to the counter for engaging the upper position limit switch when the counter is moved to the upper position and for engaging the lower position limit switch when the counter is moved to the lower position, means electrically connecting the counter drive motor means and upper position limit switch for stopping the counter drive motor means when the counter has moved to the upper position and the upper position limit switch is engaged, means electrically connecting the counter drive motor means and lower position limit switch for stopping the counter drive motor means when the counter has moved to the lower position and the lower position limit switch is engaged, first electric circuit means including the upper position limit switch and selector switches and pan drive motor means set up and operable when the upper position limit switch is engaged as a consequence of the counter being moved to the upper position for actuating the pan drive motor means when any one of the selector switches is operated to move the pan corresponding to said one selector switch to the access opening and for stopping the pan drive motor means to position said corresponding pan exposed directly at and over the counter at said counter upper position, and second electric circuit means including the lower position limit switch and selector switches and pan drive motor means set up and operable when the lower position limit switch is engaged as a consequence of the counter being moved to the lower position for actuating the pan drive motor means when the same any one of the selector switches is operated to move the same pan corresponding to said same one selector switch to the access opening and for stopping the pan drive motor means to position said same corresponding pan at a lower location exposed directly at and over the counter lower position; whereby, movement of the Work counter to the upper position and operation of any given selctor switch will position the corresponding pan exposed directly at and over the work counter at said upper position, and movement of the work counter to the lower position and actuation of the same given selector switch will position the same pan at a lower location exposed directly at and over the work counter at said lower position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,778,510 10/1930 Richardson 31229 2,659,646 11/1953 AttWoOd 312-223 2,696,417 12/1954 Jouk 312223 3,059,984 10/1962 Handel 312266 X 3,105,727 10/1963 Anders 312-223 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner. 

1. POWER FILE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TYPE IN WHICH A PLURALITY OF PANS ARE SUPPORTED MOVABLE BY OPERABLY CONNECTED ELECTRIC PAN DRIVE MOTOR MEANS IN A CONTINUOUS ORBIT OF TRAVEL INCLUDING UPPER AND LOWER TURNING PORTIONS AND INTERMEDIATE FORWARD AND REARWARD GENERALLY VERTICAL PORTIONS, IN WHICH THE PANS ARE EXPOSED AT LEAST AT AN ACCESS OPENING IN A CABINET WALL ADJACENT THE INTERMEDIATE FORWARD GENERALLY VERTICAL PORTION OF THE ORBIT OF TRAVEL, IN WHICH A WORK COUNTER IS MOUNTED AT THE ACCESS OPENING SELECTIVELY VERTICALLY MOVABLE BETWEEN AT LEAST AN UPPER AND LOWER POSITION, IN WHICH THE ACCESS OPENING IS FORMED SUCH THAT A PAN IS EXPOSED DIRECTLY AT AND OVER THE WORK COUNTER AND THROUGH THE ACCESS OPENING WHEN THE WORK COUNTER IS AT EITHER OF THE UPPER AND LOWER POSITIONS, AND IN WHICH A SELECTOR SWITCH CORRESPONDING TO EACH PAN IS PROVIDED ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO THE PAN DRIVE MOTOR MEANS SELECTIVELY OPERABLE FOR ACTUATING THE PAN DRIVE MOTOR MEANS TO MOVE THE CORRESPONDING PAN TO THE ACCESS OPENING; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING, AN UPPER POSITION LIMIT SWITCH AND A LOWER POSITION LIMIT SWITCH, MEANS OPERABLY CONNECTED TO THE COUNTER FOR ENGAGING THE UPPER POSITION LIMIT SWITCH WHEN THE COUNTER IS MOVED TO THE UPPER POSITION FOR ENGAGING THE LOWER POSITION LIMIT SWITCH WHEN THE COUNTER IS MOVED TO THE LOWER POSITION, FIRST ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MEANS INCLUDING THE UPPER POSITION, LIMIT SWITCH AND SELECTOR SWITCHES AND PAN DRIVE MOTOR MEANS SET UP AND OPERABLE WHEN THE UPPER POSITION LIMIT SWITCH IS ENGAGED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE COUNTER BEING MOVED TO THE UPPER POSITION FOR ACTUATING THE PAN DRIVE MOTOR MEANS WHEN ANY ONE OF THE SELECTOR SWITCHES IS OPERATED TO MOVE THE PAN CORRESPONDING TO SAID ONE SELECTOR SWITCH TO THE ACCESS OPENING AND FOR STOPPING THE PAN DRIVE MOTOR MEANS TO POSITION SAID CORRESPONDING PAN EXPOSED DIRECTLY AT AND OVER THE COUNTER AT SAID COUNTER UPPER POSITION, AND SECOND ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MEANS INCLUDING THE LOWER POSITION LIMIT SWITCH AND SELECTOR SWITCHES AND PAN DRIVE MOTOR MEANS SET UP AND OPERABLE WHEN THE LOWER POSITION LIMIT SWITCH IS ENGAGED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE COUNTER BEING MOVED TO THE LOWER POSITION FOR ACTUATING THE PAN DRIVE MOTOR MEANS WHEN THE SAME ANY ONE OF THE SELECTOR SWITCHES IS OPERATED TO MOVE THE SAME PAN CORRESPONDING TO SAID SAME ONE SELECTOR SWITCH TO THE ACCESS OPENING AND FOR STOPPING THE PAN DRIVE MOTOR MEANS TO POSITION SAID SAME CORRESPONDING PAN AT A LOWER LOCATION EXPOSED DIRECTLY AT AND OVER THE COUNTER AT SAID COUNTER LOWER POSITION; WHEREBY, MOVEMENT OF THE WORK COUNTER TO THE UPPER POSITION AND OPERATION OF ANY GIVEN SELECTOR SWITCH WILL POSITION THE CORRESPONDING PAN EXPOSED DIRECTLY AT AND OVER THE WORK COUNTER AT SAID UPPER POSITION, AND MOVEMENT OF THE WORK COUNTER TO THE LOWER POSITION AND ACTUATION OF THE SAME GIVEN SELECTOR SWITCH WILL POSITION THE SAME PAN AT A LOWER LOCATION EXPOSED DIRECTLY AT AND OVER THE WORK COUNTER AT SAID LOWER POSITION. 